Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: dshaffer on August 02, 2017, 10:29:26 pm
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This question should apply to anyone one with the automatic awning. I picked up my motor home on 6/28 and was told during the walk through that because of the curved side wall the awning may require a push with the hand when attempting to opening it. So far every time I open the awning I have to give it a push at the same time I'm pushing the awning button, otherwise it gets stuck a few inches from it's normal closed position and starts to unroll. I have to then roll it back in and make sure I give it a push as it starts to deploy and then its fine.
Anyone having this issue? The way it was explained to me it sounded like this may be a common issue. I don't recall this in the brochure or being talked about in any of their videos.
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I have a 2017 2552 and have never had to even look sideways at the awning, runs in and out without a hitch. Maybe yours needs some adjustment?
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On my 2016 2552 I frequently have to give it a little nudge to get it past top dead center (vertical) when it will unfurl on it's own. If we anticipate rain we will level with the driver side being slightly low so that water on the slide will run away rather than toward the coach. By doing this it hinders the awning a little more from self unrolling requiring the nudge to get it started.
I am not sure where you awning switch is located on the 2910 but on the 2552 it is convenient to actuate the switch and at the same time give the little nudge to get it over past vertical. Earl mentioned that when we picked up our unit and it is now just my standard routine and not a problem. I also believe the slope of the PC side walls by not being vertical causes this rather than an awning adjustment problem.
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Yep. . .we mostly have to do the same with our 2012 PC2400 Sprinter. I wasn't sure if I was the only one who had this happen, but now I know it isn't too uncommon. ;) Sometimes our awning will deploy properly without a nudge. . .I think our stored position is just at the vertical. It could be that if we are slightly low on the passenger side, the awning will open on its own, the laws of physics being what they are. :)(:
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Same with us. Sometimes it rolls out without help and sometimes not. I watch while I hold the switch and just reach up and nudge it. I don't roll it back in first but since I'm watching, it doesn't unroll much before I push it. We hear the metallic "pop" as the awning bars release from the railings mounted to the rig so I think that tension holding the bars is what causes it.
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Same thing with our "old" 2016 2351 and also with our two day old 2552. Just the way it is.
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Mine hangs up on the front side, and makes a clunking sound when it breaks loose. Never needed any assistance. Tried to see what the difference is between front and back, but so far not seeing it..
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We have a 2013 PC3100, had an recall on the motor back in 2014 I think, new motor is not as strong as the one they replaced. I can't remember just what the recall was about, but I wished I keep to out motor. Not that big of a deal to help it out,
Jim
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Thank you all for your input, I appreciate it.
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Well, really? This thread disappoints me..... over $100K and the awnings don't work right? I think I'll ask about a different brand or have one installed elsewhere after buying. (WH)
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CKK,
Phoenix used to install the manual crank-open box awning until around 2009, maybe 2010. We have the box awning of which is still offered on other motor homes and travel trailers today. It is used most often on entry level rigs because of it's affordability. Our box awning doesn't compare to the ease of opening and closing of the current-day motorized one, especially considering the hassle we deal with messing with our self-storing swing-arm-poles. But it is clean when stored-away. We have no vertical tracks, just the awning above in a stylish box. The long crank handle is stored in the entry door jamb, clipped into place. I cannot say our box awning is better or worse. Each awning has it's pros and cons......much the same argument in having a slide out or not.
Here is our box awning.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6172/6173443001_62ac4d1db9_z.jpg)
We often open it a foot or so without the poles without a fuss to offer rain protection and some sun-shade across the passenger side windows and door. There is a limit as to how far it open without poles because the more you open it, the lower it sags to the point of interfering with the swing of the entry door.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8466/28537360243_f744551e5e_z.jpg)
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Bob at PC put a foam block somewhere in the support channel to not allow the awning to close so tightly and did help for a few uses but we're back to pushing it out. Price we pay for curved sidewalls and not so boxy look.
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Bob at PC put a foam block somewhere in the support channel to not allow the awning to close so tightly and did help for a few uses but we're back to pushing it out. Price we pay for curved sidewalls and not so boxy look.
Interesting remedy, even if only for a few times. I wonder if the manufacture of the awning offers a spring or something as a permanent solution. It seems worth a call to ask.
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We were advised that to open the awning we need to move one arm out slightly and that has always worked. Unless you are tilting to passengers side it does not move out on it own. It works well and is a big awning so it gives a nice shade. The light string under it is a blessing in a lot of parks which have little or no outside light.
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Ron D.,
We ordered our 2350 without an awning due to the large arms that were going to interfere with our rear swing storage/BBQ box. We will put an awning on like yours. Can you tell us the manufacture and model, and length? I'm also curious can the legs be lowered to accommodate harsher weather, and can the awning function partially extended(other than your picture)?
Thanks,
Doug
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Hi Doug,
I have a Dometic 14 foot, model number 979BY13.065. It is called a box awning. Phoenix is very familiar with them. My model, the roll up material is gray colored and also painted with my full body paint. The two arms connect to the lower part of the rig via mounting clips, and also can be used as poles with ropes and stakes. You can open the awning unsupported a lot, but the sag is limited to the entry door clearence, and that is about as shown in that one pic which is a little more than a foot. Because of the entry door, the awning cannot be angled much, except the rear end brought down to for rain water runoff as needed. The crank and the center support are stored with clips in the entry door jamb. The main arms self store inside the awning, accessed when opening the awning 6 feet and sagging a lot.
Ron
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I have had a PC with the box awning and a PC with the new electric awning.
There is no comparison, the new awning is way better in every respect.
If the new awning is longer than you want, there ought to be a way for a shorter awning to be installed.
I hated the old box awning, by the way it is manufactured by same company but sold under a different name.
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I have had a PC with the box awning and a PC with the new electric awning.
There is no comparison, the new awning is way better in every respect.
If the new awning is longer than you want, there ought to be a way for a shorter awning to be installed.
I hated the old box awning, by the way it is manufactured by same company but sold under a different name.
I agree with Keelhauler. Our previous camping trailer had the box type awning and because of concern with wind and storing in the event of unexpected gust we seldom used it. The newer PC awnings are so much easier to deploy and stow we use it frequently. We typically stow it at night or if we are gone for an extended period we retract it to reduce the chance of wind damage.
On one occasion in our previous camper I left the box awning out one night and was awakened to an approaching thunder storm. Not much fun hand cranking to retract the awning and folding the legs while being pelted with wind and rain in the dark hence our reluctance to leave it out at night. Seen too many awnings folded over the top of a camper.
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Ron D.,
Thanks for that information, I do appreciate it. The angle of the dangle will interfere with the door, I'm sure that is the limiting factor.
Others,
We have opted to do some custom after market adds to our 2350, one is an exterior outside cooking station / storage box that will swing from the rear of the motorhome around to the side to form a usable outside BBQ,storage/ cook area. I can't imagine any kind of an awning with support arms working very well. I don't know much about electric armless awnings, but imagine they are more fragile than the old school box style. If anyone has experience with tying off( to the ground, etc.) an armless unit with the wind sensor, I would like to hear your experience.
Thanks,
Doug
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Doug, your swing around outdoor kitchen sounds interesting, could you post some pics of the mod. Thanks
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Swiftboot,
I wish I could send a picture. We are still a few months out on delivery of the 2350. I'm waiting until we can take actual measurements, and weights. I have not found any over the counter unit yet, so am planning on building something.
If you can use a little imagination, check out this product video, https://www.wilcooffroad.com/shop/hitchgate-solo/ and replace the tire with a drop down door box from this company https://www.aluminess.com/accessories/boxes/.
We will see how it goes.
Doug
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One thing certain, you can't beat the convenience of a motorized awning.
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So these arms interfere with your proposed kitchen?
(http://www.phoenixusarv.com/displayItems/images/Earl/2017_2350_3439/images/1b78afb678d14608a35399238_thumb.jpg)
This is a really nice awning and automatically dumps the water. I would not get the wind sensor. Just tie it down or close it.
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Keelhauler,
Were you ever an awning salesman? If not, you missed your calling! You made me rethink a few things, and it might be a moot point anyway since we did not order an awning, and it might be too late. I can see a shorter box than planned, make it a little wider, and change up the door/ shelf some. I have certainly never objected to motorized, I'm not particularly fond of how they look, but we have created an UGLY duck already.
Doug
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It's not too late. The awning is about the last thing they install.
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The reason the power awning needs a "shove" once in a while is that it is not mounted high enough. Phoenix is well aware of the problem. Phoenix builds a "low profile" unit (10'6" high) making the side wall shorter than most which disallows mounting the awning a few inches higher as it should. But as some of know, it fits in garages and barns. A disclaimer that's my story and i'm sticking to it. (exactly)
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It's not too late. The awning is about the last thing they install.
That's true...our PC, "Fawkes" was built in 2012 and he got his awning this year! ;)
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I have the new Carefree lateral arm powered awning on my Renegade. Looks very, very sleek and nice, works like a charm, has auto wind, rain and in and out settings, and has a remote control fob. The issue I have is even on the heaviest setting (wind sensitivity) the wind sensor will send the awning in with what I would consider a light breeze, at the beach forget it it just does not like to stay out! The unit is so high you can not tie it down because of course there are no typical arms coming down to the coach or the ground. I liked my PC power unit and the fact you could tie it down some because you could reach the corners when extended. Nothing is perfect I guess and at the end of the day the numbers of times one actually uses the awning I am not sure they are really worth the $$$$'s. Thanks, Ron